The effectiveness of decommissioning roadside mineral licks on reducing moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) activity near highways: implications for moose–vehicle collisions

Roadside mineral licks form when road salt used to de-ice highways in winter runs off surfaces and accumulates roadside ditches. Some ungulates are attracted these as they seek satisfy their requirements. Within the distribution of moose (Alces alces (Linnaeus, 1758)) North America, motorists often encounter visiting mid-summer, with many jurisdictions reporting summer peaks moose–vehicle collisions (MVCs) at locations. We camera traps monitor visitation 22 locations (including licks, ponds, dry roadsides) central British Columbia, Canada, from December 2009 July 2020. tested efficacy treatment (decommissioning) methods reduce roughly estimated decommissioning costs. Moose was greatest May July. As we hypothesized, untreated were visited more by than decommissioned ponds (absence salt), roadsides. Decommissioning replacing or mixing lick waters soils materials, such riprap, cedar mulch, pine logs, dog (Canis lupus familiaris Linnaeus, 1758) fur human (Homo sapiens hair, is an effective inexpensive means reducing visitations areas should increase motorist safety where moose.